Luxottica Group Spa (LUXGF)

Luxottica Group SpA was founded in 1961. The Company designs, manufactures and distributes fashion, luxury and sport/performance eyewear. It operates in two industry segments; manufacturing and wholesale distribution; and retail distribution. Through its manufacturing and wholesale distribution segment, it is engaged in the design, manufacture, and wholesale distribution and marketing of house and designer lines of mid to premium priced prescription frames and sunglasses, and with the acquisition of Oakley in November 2007, the Company, through various Oakley subsidiaries, is a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of optics products. It operates its retail segment mainly through its retail brands, which include, among others, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Pearle Vision, ILORI, The Optical Shop of Aspen, OPSM, Laubman & Pank, Budget Eyewear, Bright Eyes, Oakley 'O' Stores and Vaults, David Clulow and its Licensed Brands (Sears Optical and Target Optical). The Company's house brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Vogue, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Arnette and REVO, and its licensed designer brands include Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tiffany, Tory Burch and Versace. Its direct wholesale operations are complemented by an extensive retail network. The Company operates in all the eyewear markets and continues to expand in emerging markets. The prescription frame and sunglasses industry is very competitive and fragmented. Its products are subject to governmental health and safety regulations in the countries where they are sold, including the United States.